This June, Artcite Inc. has teamed up with Stone and Sky Tiny House to facilitate a week long residency with local artist Erik Johnson. Johnson will utilize the Stone and Sky Tiny House to work on his new interview series, ‘Off the Rails.’ This project aims to highlight local historians, artists and writers who are publishing, performing, and writing the Black history in the Windsor/Essex region, including the Underground Railroad in Sandwich Towne. This residency was made possible with the generous financial support of the Windsor Storyteller’s Collective.

Image: provided by the artist

Eric Johnson is a local hip-hop lyricist, vocalist and slam poet. From the Windsor-Essex county area. Erik has been writing and performing poetry for a number of years. He draws his poetic inspiration from his afro indigenous culture and experiences as an artist of color and physically disabled creator. His goal as an artist is to highlight the experiences of BIPOC through storytelling, a theme that is deeply ingrained in all of his poetic endeavours.

About Stone & Sky

Stone & Sky is an eclectic series of artist events encompassing spoken word, visual arts, music and theatre.  It takes place throughout the summer in a disused quarry and former landfill on Pelee Island.  Comprising twelve farmers markets with associated art workshops and master classes, five literary workshops, five spoken word, visual art, and musical concerts, one long weekend festival, and one theatrical finalé production, we seek to provide unique opportunities for both artists and this remote community. Stone and Sky was initiated in 2009 by the Windsor Feminist Theatre.

Artist biography & statement provided by Erik Johnson